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Tsimikas had noticed Thiago acting strangely during the whole morning. He’d limped through the first warmups and had some difficulty coming down the stairs, but the Spaniard hadn’t reported that anything was wrong with him.
Tsimikas didn’t want to worry Klopp or the medics without having definite proof. So he ran up to Thiago after they finished warming up, eager to get in a talk with him.
“Thi, you good man?” Tsimikas cornered Thiago by the goalkeepers’ mural. He had to make this quick, otherwise others would overhear him.
Thiago almost seemed surprised at Tsimikas’ presence. Had he really been lost that much in his mind? “Yeah, fine.”
“You don’t seem that way,” Tsimikas pointed out. “You winced throughout the warmups, those are like the gentlest things imaginable.”
“No, I didn’t! That was just a sigh,” Thiago argued.
Tsimikas shook his head at Thiago. His best friend was stubborn and had a chip on his shoulder about his frequent injuries. “You know, Thiago, you can just say if something’s hurting you. Won’t take away any of your manliness, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“That’s what worries me every day, Kostas! Look, I’ve spent my whole life having something wrong with me, letting the team down.” He pointed to his hip with a pained scowl. It was exactly the same place Tsimikas had seen him touch throughout the day as he limped around. “It’s injured again, and it’s going to be around two months out while we all struggle for dignity. Two months of me being useless.”
“Thiago Alcantara!” Tsimikas exclaimed. He put his hands on his hips, glad for the advantage that his extra inch in height gave his assertiveness. “I do not, and I repeat do not , want to hear you say that you’re useless again. You are a wonder of nature, a tiki-taka king and you always try your best. Heck, the fact that you keep playing even with your injury-prone body makes you amazing and brave.” He pointed to Thiago’s hip, crossing his arms. “Plus, the boss won’t let you play with that injury. Ya know why?”
Thiago lowered his gaze away from the Greek, like a child being scolded by their parents for putting themselves in danger. “My health comes first,” he mumbled under his breath.
Tsimikas nodded, gently lifting Thiago’s chin back up. “Your health comes first. You come first before any stupid match versus Everton, don’t forget that Thi.”
“Yeah, okay.” Despite himself, Thiago couldn’t help but let out a weak chuckle. “Wow, who knew that you were secretly wise?”
Tsimikas grinned, brushing off his shoulders. “As I said, Plato Da God. Now let’s have the medics check that out. Want a piggyback ride from your favorite Scouser Greek?”
Thiago rolled his eyes, leaning on Tsimikas for support. “I think I’ll manage, Plato.”